Cal Poly Police Chief George Hughes said that the university will not be pursuing charges against the ex-student because it was determined he was not a danger to the campus or the community when the incident occurred.

“Did he make a mistake bringing the weapon on campus?” he said. “Sure, that’s a big no-no.”

If the student had not dropped out of the university, administrators would have evaluated what disciplinary actions it could take against him, short of criminal charges, Hughes said.

It is illegal for anyone to carry or have a gun or weapon on campus. The rifle was unloaded, but the student had ammunition for it in his room.